Synthesis and characterization of Nafion®-115 nanowire arrays

Aligned Nafion (R)-115 nanowire arrays have been synthesized by an extrusion method with anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes templates in this work. A surface modification was carried out to improve the hydrophobicity of the AAO pore surface. The as-synthesized nanowires are about 85 nm in diameter and several to over ten micrometres in length. Near-IR Raman and IR spectrum studies show that the polymer nanowires are composed of pure Nafion (R)-115 only.